Uveitis is the inflammation of the Uvea which is made up of Iris, Ciliary body and Choroid. If we think of the eye as a hollow, fluid-filled, 3-layered ball, then the outer layer is the sclera (a tough coat), the innermost is the retina, (the thin light- gathering layer), and the middle layer is the Uvea (the vascular layer).

Signs and symptoms vary greatly depending on the type of uveitis. Anterior Uveitis is associated with eye pain, redness, blurring of vision and light sensitivity. Intermediate and Posterior forms of uveitis may more typically be associated with floaters, flashes of light and blurred vision.

The majority of cases of uveitis are idiopathic. This means that the process occurs without a specific identifiable cause or an associated health problem elsewhere in the body. In some cases however, an underlying health condition may be present.

Underlying causes of uveitis may be broadly categorized as autoimmune disorders, infections, trauma, malignancy or other causes.

Depending upon the anatomic location of the inflammation within the eye, uveitis is classified as:

The disease is also classified by its time course as:

The eye needs to be examined very thoroughly to see what type of uveitis you have. This usually involves instillation of eye-drops to make the pupils wider so that the doctor can examine your eye more thoroughly.

It is equally important to see if there is evidence of any other underlying cause like Auto immune disorders, infections and trauma etc. This may involve a whole variety of tests like blood-tests, X-rays, scans, etc.

The findings in uveitis may be very similar, but the treatment varies significantly depending on the type and cause of the uveitis.

The treatment of some forms of uveitis may involve collaboration between ophthalmologists and other specialists such as rheumatologists, infectious disease specialists or oncologists.

Treatments of other complications in the eye secondary to uveitis may also require separate therapy such as for glaucoma, cataract, retinal membranes or macular edema (central retinal swelling).

• Steroids: Steroids make up the major part of uveitis treatment.

They are used in different forms:

a.    Eye drops as a general rule the treatment is started with stronger drops frequently to reduce the inflammation as quickly as possible. The treatment would then be "tapered off" gradually before being stopped. This is important because potentially the eye may be damaged by even short periods of inflammation if not treated vigorously enough.
b.    Peri-ocular injections. (Injections locally around the eye).
c.    Oral tablets

• Immunosuppressants
• Mydriatics (pupil dilators).

Are there any modifiable risk factors for uveitis?

Unlike health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure in which the modification of lifestyle may have a major impact on the disease, the causes of autoimmune uveitis are less subject to lifestyle modifications.

Cataract, glaucoma and macular edema (retinal swelling) are common complications of uveitis. Other complications include calcific deposits on the cornea (band shaped keratopathy) and shrinkage of the globe with loss of vision.

Will I go blind?

Most patients with acute uveitis do not lose vision and treatment is aimed at controlling the inflammation to prevent any visual loss. The main causes of visual loss in patients with chronic uveitis are cataract, glaucoma or damage to the back of the eye from high pressure inside the eye, and macular edema or 'waterlogging' of the retina due to the chronic inflammation. All these conditions are treatable.